Portugal Travel

Went on a little trip we took a group of friends Portugal , when we visited the city of Guimaraes, we consider it a must for the importance of their history because it has its beginnings when the Kingdom of Portugal during the Middle Ages, Alfonso Enriquez was proclaimed the first king of the country (1139). Located in the northern part of Portugal is now a modern city that combines remnants of the Medieval era buildings and Baroque streets.

We began our tour of the top while the oldest city, the castle (X century). Once inside, walking with difficulty through the yard, and that instead of paving the ground is full of rocks, and after a considerable rise of stone steps you can enjoy magnificent views from one of its seven towers, most notably as the highest all "the keep" (28 meters). Since leaving the castle and within walking distance is the chapel of San Miguel, the Romanesque period (twelfth century), the highlight of it is that is the font of King Afonso Henriques and his entire floor is covered with tombs of noble warriors.

In front of the castle and down a small hill is the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (XV century) is a building of enormous dimensions and restored in the twentieth century after a long period of neglect. The whole building itself is a museum, large rooms are filled with period furniture, enormous tapestries, carpets, porcelain brought from various places and a room with a small collection of weapons collected from several centuries. The highlight of the palace are the roofs, pointed and made of wood, not common in other European palaces.

Leaving behind the most representative monuments of the city and walking along the cobbled streets we arrived at the Chapel of the Steps of the Passion of Christ, one of the five steps at the present and extending into small chapels around the city. The most emblematic street and one of the first open was that of Santa María, considered point between the lower and upper town Castillo. Along this street you can see beautiful buildings as the Convent of Santa Clara, is now the town hall.

Its narrow streets invite walking and small squares and relax while you admire old buildings and old shop at stores that have not lost the charm of the era. La Plaza de Santiago, is the oldest paved floor and keeping their houses with their small wooden balconies. Once in the Plaza Oliveira can make a break for a drink and enjoy the beautiful buildings that surround it, as the church of N. Ms. De Oliveira and the Monument of Salado, a cruise made to commemorate the Battle of Salado. " Lunchtime arrival site selection was a hit, the restaurant is a cozy Valdon renovated building, combining ancient stone walls and ceilings of huge wooden beams with modern furnishings and service. We however chose to eat on the patio enjoying the lovely day, enjoying a delicious cod, as there can be less in Portugal.

We reached the end of our visit to the Plaza del Toural, considered the center of the city and surrounded by trees with a small garden dominated by an ornate fountain, there we were fired from a city full of charm.